Navy recovers over 20,000 ltr of crude oil from illegal refining site in Bonny

2026-03-26 - 20:53

By Kingsley Omonobi The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major operational success under Operation Delta Sentinel, following the discovery and deactivation of an active illegal refining site in Allison Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, with the recovery of over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said on Thursday that the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under the Eastern Naval Command. According to Folorunsho, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence on illegal refining activities within the area. “Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the naval base deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team, which successfully located the illegal refining site. “The site was found to contain dugout pits, locally fabricated cooking and cooling systems, as well as sacks loaded with substances suspected to be stolen crude oil. “Further assessment revealed that the facility held more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. The Navy stated that the illegal refining infrastructure and recovered products were handled in line with extant operational procedures, while the suspects behind the operation fled the scene on sighting the naval patrol team. “The successful raid highlights the Nigerian Navy’s sustained offensive against crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. The Navy further noted that the operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, who has tasked operational commanders to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at safeguarding the nation’s critical oil infrastructure and supporting the Federal Government’s target of achieving 2.5 million barrels of oil production per day in 2026. The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on oil thieves and criminal networks undermining the country’s economic stability, stressing that operations under Operation Delta Sentinel will continue across the maritime environment and the wider Niger Delta region.